One of the biggest sporting success stories of 2025 was undoubtedly the South Edinburgh Schools hockey initiative.
The project brings together pupils from Boroughmuir, Balerno, Firrhill, James Gillespie’s, Tynecastle and Craigmount to ensure regular playing time.
What started as a small Boroughmuir – Balerno partnership around 2019 has steadily grown with more schools joining, mostly since 2023.
Scottish Hockey fully support the multi school collective.
Over the past two years more than 60 pupils across the S1-S6 age groups have represented SESH many of whom also play for local clubs including Inverleith, Watsonians, Erskine Stewart’s Melville and Edinburgh Hockey Club.
Club official Jonathan Bower says: “We have players unable to source hockey at their school but also some who are seeking out extra practice.
“Both are welcome to not only get game time but benefit from experiences that come with being in a team environment.”
Jonathan adds: “This combined pathway has led to remarkable achievements: our players now feature in Scotland under-16 and under-18s,Brave Aspiring, Brave Emerging and East District squads.
“The seniors regular compete – and win – against highly structured private school teams while our juniors, many with little or no hockey experience, are joining in increasing numbers.
“The scale of SESH’s achievements is even more impressive given that the entire programme relies on a very small group of deeply committed parents.
“These volunteers take on almost every element required to keep the programme alive.
Tasks include:
*Team management and organisation
*Pitch side coaching, safety and support.
*Scheduling fixtures with schools and clubs across Edinburgh and beyond.
*Liasing with Scottish Hockey on governance and multi-school permissions.
* Communicating with all parents across six schools.
“The administrative workload alone is enormous: co-ordinating matches, transport, pitch bookings, school permissions, coaches, kit, registrations and communications is a weekly challenge but this small group continues to deliver with enthusiasm, team work and a clear commitment.
“Facilities remain one of our toughest challenges.
“Access to pitches across schools and Edinburgh Leisure venues is limited and highly competitive with quality varying widely.
*Costs are significant. We are currently trying to replace hockey goals at the Oxgangs Primary 2G pitch after storm damage but the cost – around £5000 is prohibitive without grant funding. Schools are supportive but understandably cautious about accommodating large, specialist hockey equipment.
“These barriers require constant negotiation, creativity and perseverance.
“SESH is incredibly lucky to receive outstanding coching support from Edinburgh Hockey Club whose involvement has been vital.
“But like many community sports we are seeing a generational shift in volunteering.
“We are fortunate that the participating high schools recognise the value of team sport and support pupils to attend tournaments and travel for away fixtures even when this involves long distances and balancing academic commitments.
“(But) the model shows what can be achieved when schools, clubs, families and volunteers work together” said Mr Bower who has been match secretary at the Inverleith club for the past 20 years.
